BG-1110, 1874 California Fractional Gold $1, Liberty Octagonal NGC MS63 R7+

This type is the “Baby Head” (or small) Liberty, created by German-American Herman J. Brand (1837-1914) of San Francisco. The obverse features the small Liberty head surrounded by 13 stars. This variety is R7+. This octagonal $1 gold piece was produced in 1874, during Period 2 (1859-1882) of the extensive California Fractional Gold series. The reverse presents a wreath with berries. Within the wreath is found ‘1 DOLLAR,’ while surrounding the wreath is CALIFORNIA GOLD. The small Liberty head gives this piece quite a dramatic look.

NGC has graded 1 as MS63 with none finer. PCGS reports that there are “5 or 6 known” but fewer than that number have been graded. This piece offered by AUCM is indeed the only one graded by NGC. PCGS has graded two in the higher AU grades: 1 each in AU55 and AU58, and a sole piece as MS63 Prooflike.

A map of the city of San Francisco in 1874, the year this rare variety was produced.

In addition to being a jeweler, Brand was also an artist-sculptor and member of the San Francisco Art Association. He had an exhibition of his artwork at the Mark Hopkins Art Institute (San Francisco) in April of 1906. It must have been early that month, for the massive earthquake of April 18 destroyed much of the City by the Bay.